Things to Do in the DMV This Month

Posted on October 1, 2026 | Posted in Lifestyle

With summer officially in the rearview mirror, the Capital Region is fully embracing sweater season and all that it brings: vibrantly colored vistas, spooky allure, and pumpkin-spice everything. Whether you’re looking for showstopping theater, live music, family-driven activities, cultural diversions, or hauntingly good autumn attractions, here’s a roundup of the top events happening this October across DC, Virginia, and Maryland!

Want more of DC’s best? Check out the Lifestyle Section of our blog to discover everything at your fingertips, from the coolest places to grab a cocktail to the latest after-school programs for kids.

DC

Immigration Film Fest | October 2–11 | Festival Center, MLK Memorial Library & Virtual
Explore stories of immigration and identity through a mix of in-person and virtual film screenings.

Home Rule Music Festival | October 3 | Alethia Tanner Park
Close out this grassroots music festival with a free day of live performances celebrating DC’s rich musical traditions.

Polka on the Pier | October 3 | The Wharf
Break out the lederhosen for Oktoberfest at The Wharf, complete with polka, stein hoisting, and the fan-favorite Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash.

Maybe Happy Ending | October 6–11 | National Theatre
This acclaimed futuristic musical follows two robots who find an unexpected connection during a road trip across South Korea.

Marcia Chatelain | October 7 | Politics and Prose, Connecticut Avenue
Pulitzer Prize winner Marcia Chatelain discusses How Bright the Path Grows, her new book about the women who helped shape the 1963 March on Washington.

Michael Douglas | October 7 | Sixth & I
Award-winning actor Michael Douglas shares stories from childhood, Hollywood, and his legendary career in celebration of his new book.

National Gallery Nights: Monster Mash | October 8 | National Gallery of Art
National Gallery Nights gets a welcome Halloween twist with a Monster Mash theme, plus a live performance from DC band Oh He Dead. Free tickets are available by lottery.

Hundred Days | October 10–November 15 | Keegan Theatre
Part concert, part musical, this intimate production tells a true love story through an indie-rock score.

Snallygaster | October 10 | Downtown DC
DC’s sprawling beer festival returns with hundreds of craft brews, ciders, food vendors, music, and plenty of revelry.

Rod Wave | October 16 | Capital One Arena
Rod Wave brings his signature blend of hip-hop, soul, and emotionally charged storytelling to Capital One Arena.

DC Wine Fest | October 16–17 | Dock5 at Union Market
Sip your way through a wide selection of wines while enjoying music and a lively festival atmosphere at Dock5.

Soul Strolls | October 16–17, 23–24, 30–31 & November 1 | Congressional Cemetery
Explore Congressional Cemetery after dark as costumed interpreters bring some of its most fascinating residents and stories back to life.

Boo at the Zoo | October 16–18 | Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The National Zoo gets into the Halloween spirit every year with after-hours animal viewing, trick-or-treating, and family-friendly fun.

Are You Now or Have You Ever Been | October 17–December 6 | Arena Stage
This gripping docudrama revisits the House Committee on Un-American Activities hearings and the artists caught in their crosshairs.

Turkish Festival | October 18 | Pennsylvania Avenue
Spend the day enjoying Turkish food, folk dancing, music, arts, crafts, and cultural performances in the heart of DC.

“Esther Bubley: Photographing the Homefront” | Opens October 22 | Capital Jewish Museum
Discover Esther Bubley’s striking photographs of everyday life in wartime Washington, captured while she worked for the Office of War Information.

“Beverly Pepper: Land Art and Monumental Sculptures” | October 23–April 25 | National Museum of Women in the Arts
Explore the monumental work of sculptor Beverly Pepper through gallery installations, film, and an accompanying outdoor exhibition along New York Avenue.

Niladri Kumar | October 24 | Sixth & I
Sitar virtuoso and zitar inventor Niladri Kumar honors the late Zakir Hussain with a program blending Indian classical music and contemporary jazz.

Family Spooky Disco | October 24 | Dance Place
Costumes are encouraged (and even expected) at this family-friendly Halloween dance party filled with music, movement, and spooky fun.

Rush | October 25 & 27 | Capital One Arena
Rush returns to the road for the first time since 2018, with acclaimed German drummer Anika Nilles joining the legendary rock band behind the kit.

PumpkinPalooza | October 28 | Alethia Tanner Park
Pick a pumpkin, throw on a costume, and celebrate Halloween with an afternoon of free family fun in NoMa.

Go-Go 50 | October 30–November 1 | Warner Theatre
The Washington Ballet kicks off its 50th season with a bold program featuring the world premiere of a ballet-meets-go-go collaboration with music from Black Alley.

Boy Harsher | October 30 | Howard Theatre
Electronic duo Boy Harsher brings its dark, hypnotic sound to the Howard Theatre for a pre-Halloween show.

Nightmare in Navy Yard | October 31 | Supplyhouse
Go all out for Halloween with three DJs, three dance floors, food trucks, themed cocktails, and plenty of costumes.

Ghosts of Georgetown | Ongoing | Georgetown
Take a nighttime walk through one of DC’s oldest neighborhoods while getting spooked by tales of ghosts, hauntings, and the infamous story behind The Exorcist.

➤ Discover even more ways to enjoy DC this fall with these posts next:

VIRGINIA

Noseda Conducts Exotic Tales | October 1 | Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Fairfax
Gianandrea Noseda leads the National Symphony Orchestra through works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, and Ravel in one of its first regular performances of the season.

Chris Stapleton | October 2 | Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow
Country superstar Chris Stapleton brings his powerhouse vocals and All-American Road Show to Northern Virginia.

Washington West Film Festival | October 2, 8–12 & 21 | Reston
Catch documentaries, shorts, narrative films, and emerging student work during this multi-day Northern Virginia film festival.

Art on the Avenue | October 3 | Del Ray, Alexandria
Stroll Mount Vernon Avenue while shopping handmade art, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, home goods, and more from local makers.

Disney on Ice: Spotlight Magic | October 8–12 | EagleBank Arena, Fairfax
Favorite Disney characters take to the ice for a colorful, family-friendly show filled with skating, music, and familiar stories.

Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour | October 9–11 | George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Sip unlimited samples from Virginia wineries while taking in sunset views from the grounds of George Washington’s estate.

Fairfax Fall Festival | October 10 | Downtown Fairfax
Celebrate 50 years of this community favorite with live music, hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, food, and a beer garden.

Farm Day | October 10 | Cherry Hill Park, Falls Church
Celebrate fall with pumpkins, children’s activities, live music, traditional craft demonstrations, and old-fashioned farm fun.

Middleburg Film Festival | October 15–18 | Middleburg
Filmmakers, actors, and movie lovers descend on Middleburg for four days of buzzy screenings, conversations, Q&As, and special events.

Stafford County Fair | October 15–18 | Fredericksburg
Make a day of classic fair fun with carnival attractions, pony rides, a petting zoo, entertainment, and plenty for kids.

Luckett’s Fall Market | October 16–18 | Berryville
Hunt for vintage furniture, antiques, home decor, and one-of-a-kind autumn finds at this popular fall market.

Air & Scare | October 24 | Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly
The Smithsonian’s aviation museum gets spooky with costumes, creepy crafts, and Halloween activities among its aircraft and spacecraft.

Trick-or-Treating at Mount Vernon | October 31 | George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Celebrate Halloween like never before with candy, fresh-baked bread, historic demonstrations, and music from the Revolutionary era.

➤ Looking for more great spots to sample the DC scene? Start with these posts next:

MARYLAND

Noseda Conducts Exotic Tales | October 2 | The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda
Gianandrea Noseda leads the National Symphony Orchestra through colorful works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, and Ravel.

Power to the People | October 3 | Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia
Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morello, Foo Fighters, Public Enemy, and more come together for an all-star celebration of music, peace, love, and justice.

Taste of Bethesda | October 3 | Downtown Bethesda
Sample dishes from area restaurants while enjoying live entertainment across four stages at this annual Bethesda favorite.

Noir City DC | October 8–22 | AFI Silver Theatre, Silver Spring
Dive into classic hard-boiled cinema with a lineup centered on crime and music, including Blues in the Night, All Night Long, and Elvis Presley’s King Creole.

MD State BBQ Bash | October 9–10 | Downtown Bel Air
Dig into barbecue while enjoying live music, family activities, vendors, and plenty of hometown festival energy.

Kelela | October 13 | The Fillmore Silver Spring
Gaithersburg-raised alternative R&B artist Kelela returns home with the dreamy, richly layered sound of her latest album, New Avatar.

Utopia Film Festival | October 17–18 | Greenbelt
Catch independent features, documentaries, animation, shorts, and locally produced films at this long-running community festival.

Laurel’s House of Horror | Select Dates Through November 7 | Laurel
Get your much-needed scare fix with a massive haunted house, escape rooms, and immersive horror attractions throughout the Halloween season.

Curious about more than just local events and happenings? For all your DMV real estate needs, we’re here to help! Get in touch with us by filling out the form on this page, calling us at 202.280.2060, or emailing connect@jennsmira.com.